Abstract

The use of a low-protein diet for the treatment of severe uremia has been resurrected recently with gratifying results. It has prolonged the useful existence of many patients and has been particularly effective in controlling the gastrointestinal manifestations of renal failure. Not all systems are favorably affected, however, and we have noted the progression of a peculiar cardiomyopathy in 5 of 35 patients who were maintained on the "diet" from 1 to 10 months. The clinical picture is one of a progressive, severe biventricular failure manifested by [1] massive cardiomegaly, [2] gallop rhythm, [3] a fall in mean blood pressure,